The International Eight Metre class are class of racing
yachts
A yacht is a sailing or power vessel used for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a , as opposed to a , such a pleasu ...
. Eight Metre boats (often called "Eights" or 8mR) are a ''
construction class'', meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in this case
International rule. Before WW II, Eights were the most prestigious international yacht racing class and they are still raced around the world. "Eight metre" in class name does not, somewhat confusingly, refer to length of the boat, but product of the formula. 8mR boats are on average some 15 metres long. Between 1907 and 2008 approximately 500 8mR boats were built, 177 of them have survived until today.
History
The International Rule was set up in 1907 to replace earlier, simpler handicap system which were often local or at best, national, and often also fairly simple, producing extreme boats which were fast but lightly constructed and impractical. The Eight Metre class was the medium size rating established under the rule and they were chosen as an Olympic class in
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, United Kingdom, from 27 April to 31 October 1908. The 1908 Games were o ...
. The Eights remained in the Olympics until 1936.
Up till 1914 the 8 metre yachts were traditionally
Gaff rig
Gaff rig is a sailing rig (configuration of sails, mast and stays) in which the sail is four-cornered, fore-and-aft rigged, controlled at its peak and, usually, its entire head by a spar (pole) called the ''gaff''. Because of the size and shap ...
. This changed with the launch of ''Ierne'' by the
Fife yard becoming the first yacht of the class using
Bermuda rig
A Bermuda rig, Bermudian rig, or Marconi rig is a configuration of mast and rigging for a type of sailboat and is the typical configuration for most modern sailboats. This configuration was developed in Bermuda in the 1600s; the term ''Marconi'' ...
. Over time Bermuda rigs became more popular thanks to much more convenient cruising.
New, modern eights are still built utilising newest contemporary technologies, at the rate of 1–3 boats per year. During the 1980s, many old sailboat classes experienced a revival of interest. The class has undergone a renaissance which has continued to the day, with many old yachts restored or rebuilt to racing condition, and 8mr competition is once again thriving with 25–35 boats participating annually at the 8mR Worlds. "The International Eight Register" includes 177 identified existing boats of a total of approximately 500 boats built from 1907 until today.
Events
World Championships
After a long break, the Worlds have been organized for the eight metres in four classes:
1. The World Cup.
2. The Sira Cup – All Classic eights built prior to 1968
3. The Neptune Trophy – All Classics with original deck plan build prior to 1970, wooden spars and Dacron sails
4. Vintage eights – Gaffs build before 1920.
References
The International Rule – The Eight Metre Class – John Lammerts van Bueren, 2007
External links
International Eight Metre AssociationMetre Boat IndexNorth American Eight Metre AssociationBritish Eight Metre AssociationFinnish Eight Metre Association
Russian Eight Metre Association(Russian)
{{Classes of the International Sailing Federation
8 Metre
The International Eight Metre class are class of racing yachts. Eight Metre boats (often called "Eights" or 8mR) are a '' construction class'', meaning that the boats are not identical but are all designed to meet specific measurement formula, in ...
Keelboats
Olympic sailing classes
Development sailing classes